Clamping device



March 7, 1950 J. vSTQIBER' 2,500,048

CLAMPING DEVICE Filed Jn. zo, 1947 IN VEN TOR mm BY 2 ,y A ORNEYJ-Patented Mar. 7, 195() UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLAMPING DEVICEJoseph Stoiber, Rochester, N. Y., a's'sgnor to Eastman Kodak Company,Rochester, N. Y., 'a corporation of New Jersey Application January 30,1947, Serial No. 725,217

i3 claims. (C1. 248-177) The present invention relates to tiltablememhers primarily designed for use on tripod heads or similar devices,and more particularly to a new and improved clamping and holding devicefor said members.

The invention has as its principal object the provision oi a clamping orholding device for a tiltable member.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an arrangement bywhich the tiltable member may be moved to any adjusted position, and maythen be securely clamped in said position.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a clampingdevice which is simple, with iew parts of rugged construction, easy tooperate and positive in its results.

To these and other ends, the invention resides in certain improvementsand combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the endoi the specication.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective View of one form of tripod head formed with adouble clamping device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

"ig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the device illustrated inFig. 1, showing the arrangement of the clamping parts;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through one of the clamping devices,but on a larger scale than Fig. 2, showing the arrangement of the partsin the released and non-clamping position;

Fig. e is a perspective view of the cantilever bar which is pivoted tocause the clamping element to become operative; and n Fig. is aperspective view of the tubular-bearing member showing the relation ofthe movable clamping members formed thereon. v

Similar reference numerals throughout the various views indicate thesame parts.

Fig. l or the drawings shows a pair of tiltable members broadlyindicated by the numerals II and i2, the upper one il of which carries aplate i3 to which a camera or similar object may be secured, while thelower one I2 is provided with a base plate i4 to which a tripod may beconnected, as is apparent. As the two tilting units and theloclring-and-clampin'g means therefor are identical in construction,only one will be described in detail and the corresponding parts in theother will be designated by the same numerais.

Fig. 2 shows a base i4 provided' with a T-slot i5 for connecting thebase toa tripod or similar device. This base has integrally formedtlfiere with a pair of spaced brackets I6 extending upwardly from thebase i4 and forming therewith a unitary support. The brackets I6 areprovided with aligned openings il adapted to slidably 'reeive a tubularcylindrical bearing i8 which has a length substantially equal to thedistance between the outer edges of the brackets, as best shown in Fig.2, the bearing member I8 forming, in effect, apart of the main support.A pair .of plates i9 covers the openings il' and engages the ends 2'0 ofthe bearing I8 to retain the bearing i8 in position. These plates i9 aresecured to the outer surface 2| of the brackets i6 by screws' 22 orother suitable fastening means.

The portion Aof the bearing I8 between the inner surfaces 23 of thebrackets l 6 is formed with a pair of substantially parallel slots 24which extend most of the way around the member I8, as best shown in Fig.5, and an axially-extending slot Z5 which connects the slots 24 to forma pair of flexible lingers or tongues 26, the ends 2'1 oi which arespaced by reason of the slot 25, 'as is apparent from an inspection ofFig. 5. The slots 24 are spaced apart axially a distance less than thedistance between the inner surfaces 23 of the brackets i6, as shown inthe lower par-t of Fig. 2, to provide a pair of spaced-bearing areas 28,the purpose of which will be later pointed out.

The' tubular' bearing I8 has positioned therein a transversely extendingcantilever bar 32, one end 33 of which extends into the slot 25. Inorder to retain the end 33 in slot 25, the bar 32 is provided with anaperture 34 through which an annular spring 35 is passed. This' springis positioned' in an annular recessed or groove 36 formed on the innersurface 31 of the bearing l 8. The le'lt or free endl 3B of the bar 32,as vie'wed in Fig. 3, is reduced in size and extends' into a slot 39formed in I3 and positioned diametrically opposite the slot 25. Thisslot 39l is substantially the same width as the end 38 and serves toguide the' bar 32 to retain the latter in proper position and to preventsideways tipping of the' bar. However, the end` 33 substantially ll'sthe slot 25. Normally the n'gers 2t conform in shape to the outersurface 40 of the bearing I8. However, if an upward movement is impartedto the left end of the bar 32, see Fig'. 3, the righty end 33 of the barpivotssubstanti'al-ly about the' point 4I so that the surface 42 willengage the upper fingers 26 while thev lower surface 43 will engage thelower nngers 26 to spread or force the fingers outwardly or radially ofthev bearing I8 so that the outer surfaces of the iingers will projectbeyond the outer surface 49 of the bearing i8, as is apparent from aninspection of Fig. 3. Thus, by imparting a clockwise movement to the bar32, the fingers 26 may be moved outwardly for clamping, as will be laterpointed out.

To secure such movement of the bar 32, the plates I9 have mountedtherebetween a shaft 4B which extends through the bearing IB adjacentbut slightly below the free end of the bar 32, as shown in Fig. 3. Oneend of this shaft projects beyond one of the plates I9 and has mountedthereon an operating wheel 49 by which a turning movement can beimparted to the shaft 48. Inside the bearing I8 and just below the leftend of the bar 32, the shaft 48 has mounted thereon a cam 50 adapted toengage and move the bar 32 upwardly upon rotation of shaft 48, as isapparent from an inspection of Fig. 3. Thus, by turning the wheel 49 theshaft 48 may be rotated to bring the cam 5G into lifting relation withthe bar 32 to pivot the latter to spread the fingers 26 radially. Inorder to prevent movement of the bearing i8 relative to the brackets IB,each of the latter is provided with a tapped hole 5I through which a r.

relative to the bearing to position the camera or ,f.

supporting plate I3. The inner surface 55 of the member 54 is providedwith portions which are supported by the bearing areas 28 of the bearingI3, see Fig. 2. When the parts are in the position as shown in Fig. 3,the member 54 may be rocked or moved relative to the bearing i8.However, when the fingers 26 are moved outwardly by the rocking bar 32,as above described, the displaced fingers will engage tightly the innersurface 55 of the member 54 to clamp or hold the member 54 tightly tothe bearing I8 to prevent relative movement therebetween. Thus, theturning of the wheel 49 serves to clamp the member 54 against movement.Reverse rotation of the wheel, however, permits the fingers 2B to moveout of clamping relation with the surface 55 so that the member 54 maybe rocked on the bearing E8. Thus, the latter provides both a bearingand a locking or holding means for the member 54. The latter is formedwith upwardly spaced brackets or supporting members 57 which correspondwith the brackets I6 and differ from the latter only that they aremovable with the member 54. Otherwise, they function in the same manneras the brackets I6.

It is apparent that by moving the proper wheel 49 the upper or lowermembers 54 may be moved selectively, or by unclamping both wheels, bothunits may be adjusted, the advantages of which are relatively apparent.Thus, the members 54 may be moved to an adjusted position, and whenproperly adjusted, the wheels 49 and shafts 59 are rotated to rotate thecams 50 to cause the cams to rock bars 3-2 to spread the fingers 25 intoclamping relation with the surfaces 55 to clamp or hold the members 54against rotative movement. Such a clamping device is simple, easy tooperate and positive in its action. While the above described clampingdevice has been illustrated and described in connection with a memberwhich s movable or tiltable above a horizontal axis, such a clampingarrangement is also adapted for use in connection with an adjustablemember movable about a vertical axis.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to beunderstood that the inventive idea may be carried on in a number ofways. This application is, therefore, not to be limited to the precisedetails disclosed, but is intended to cover all variations andmodications thereof falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A clamping device for a turning member comprising a support, acylindrical bearing carried by said support, a turnable member rockablymounted on said bearing for movement relative thereto, resilientclamping means formed from said bearing, and means for moving saidclamping means into holding relation with said member to hold the latteragainst movement relative to said bearing.

2. A clamping device for a turning member comprising a support, acylindrical bearing xedly positioned in said support, a turnable memberhaving a cylindrical portion mounted on said bearing ior moving relativethereto, resilient clamping means formed from said bearing and movableradially to engage said portion, areas on said bearing adjacent saidclamping means for supporting said portion, and means carried by saidsupport for moving said clamping means into clamping relation with saidportion to hold said member against movement relative to said bearing.

3. A clamping device for a turning member comprising a support, abearing carried by said support, a turnable member mounted on saidbearing for movement relative thereto, means for positioning said memberon said bearing, re-

silient clamping means formed from said bearing and adapted to be movedradially into clamping relation with said member to hold the latteragainst movement relative to said bearing, and means on said support formoving said clamping means to clamping position.

4. A clamping device for a turning member comprising a support formedwith spaced substantially annular-shaped parts, a tubular bearingcarried by said parts, a turnable member positioned between said partsand rockably supported by said bearing, clamping members formed fromsaid bearing and adapted to be moved radially into clamping relationwith said turnable member to prevent movement of the latter relative tosaid bearing, and means on said support for moving said clamping membersinto clamping position.

5. A clamping device for a turning member comprising a support, acylindrical bearing mounted in said support, a turnable member rockablymounted on said bearing for movement relative thereto, a pair offlexible radially movable clamping members formed from said bearing, theends of said clamping members being arranged in spaced relation, awedging member positioned between said ends, and means for actuatingsaid wedging member to spread said ends to move said clamping membersradially and into clamping relation with said turnable member to holdthe latter against movement.

6. A clamping device vfor a turning member comprising a support, acylindrical bearing mounted in said support, a turnable member rockablymounted on said bearing for movement relative thereto, a pair offlexible radially movable clamping members formed from said bearing, theends of said clamping members being arranged in spaced relation, awedging member positioned between said ends, means for actuating saidwedging member to spread said ends to move said clamping membersradially and into clamping relation with said turnable member to holdthe latter against movement, and means for retaining said wedgingmembers in position between said ends.

7. A clamping device for a turning member comprising a Support, atubular bearing mounted in said support, a turnable member rockablymounted on said bearing for movement relative thereto, a pair ofiiexible radially movable clamping members formed from said bearing, theends of said clamping members Ibeing arranged in spaced relation, awedging member positioned between said ends, means including a cammember carried by said support for actuating said wedging member tospread said ends to move said clamping members radially and intoclamping relation with said turnable member to hold the latter againstmovement, and means for yieldably retaining said wedging member inposition between said ends.

8. A clamping device for a turning member comprising a support, atubular bearing mounted in said support, a turnable member rockablymounted on said bearing for movement relative thereto, a pair of curvedflexibly clamping mem bers formed on said bearing and normallypositioned concentric with said bearing, the ends of said clampingmembers being arranged in spaced relation, a wedging member having aportion positioned between said ends, and means for actuating saidwedging member to cause said portion to spread said ends to move saidclamping members out of concentric relation and into clamping relationwith said turnable members.

9. A clamping device for a turning member comprising a support, atubular bearing mounted in said support, a turnable member rockablymounted on said bearing for movement relative thereto, a pair of exibleradially movable clamping members formed from said bearing, the ends ofsaid clamping members being arranged in spaced relation, a cantileverbar having one end positioned between said ends, and means for movingthe other end of said bar to pivot said one end to wedge said ends apartto move said clamping members into clamping relation with said turnablemember.

10. A clamping device for a turning member comprising, a support, atubular bearing mounted in said support, a turnable member rockablymounted on said bearing for movement relative thereto, a pair offlexible radially movable clamping members formed from said bearing, theends of said clamping members being arranged in spaced relation, acantilever bar having one end positioned between said ends, means formoving the other end of said bar to pivot said one end to wedge saidends apart to move said clamping members into clamping relation withsaid turnable member, and spring means for retaining said one end ofsaid bar in position between said ends.

11. A clamping device for a turning member comprising, a support, atubular bearing mounted in said support, a turnable member rockablymounted on said bearing for movement relative thereto, a pair ofiiexible radially movable clamping members formed from said bearing, theends of said clamping members being arranged in spaced relation, acantilever bar having one end positioned between said ends, means formoving the other end of said bar to pivot said one end to wedge saidends apart to move said clamping members into clamping relation withsaid turnable member, spring means for retaining said one end of saidbar in position between said ends, and means on said bearing for guidingsaid other end of said bar.

12. A clamping device for a turning member comprising a support, atubular bearing mounted in said support, a turnable member rockablymounted on said bearing for movement relative thereto, a pair ofilexible radially movable clamping members formed from said bearing, theends of said clamping members being arranged in spaced relation, acantilever bar having one end positioned between said ends, an annularspring positioned in said bearing and engaging said bar adjacent saidone end to retain the latter in position between said ends, said bearinghaving a slot opposite said ends to receive and guide the other end ofsaid bar, a shaft rotatably mounted on said support, and a cam carriedby said shaft and adapted upon rotation of said shaft to engage theother end of said bar to rock the latter about said one end to spreadsaid clamping members to move the latter into clamping relation withsaid turnable member.

13. A clamping device for a turning member comprising a support, atubular bearing xedly positioned in said support, said bearing beingformed with a pair of parallel circumferential slots which are connectedat one point by an axial slot to form a pair of substantiallysemiannular flexible portions connected to said bearing, a cantileverbar positioned within said bearing and having one end thereof extendinginto said axial slot so as to engage the free ends of said portions,said bearing being formed with a second axial slot diametricallyarranged from said rst axial slot to receive the other end of said barto guide the latter, bearing areas on said bearing outside saidportions, a turnable member mounted on said bearing to overlie saidportions and supported on said areas, an annular spring positionedwithin said bearing and yieldably engaging said bar near said end toretain the latter in position in said rst slot, a shaft carried by saidsupport and extending through said bearing adjacent the other end ofsaid bar, and a cam on said shaft adapted upon rotation of said shaft toengage and move the other end of said bar to pivot the one end of saidbar in said rst slot to spread said free ends to move said portionsoutwardly and into clamping relation with the turnable member.

JOSEPH STOIBER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

